Influence of Peer Pressure on the Risky Behavior among Teenagers
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16921673
Abstract
Adolescence is a crucial developmental period marked by heightened sensitivity to social influences, during which teenagers often engage in risky behaviors such as substance use, unsafe sexual activity, and reckless decision-making. Peer groups play a pivotal role in shaping attitudes and behaviors during this stage, frequently exerting pressure that can increase the likelihood of risk-taking. This study was designed to examine the influence of peer pressure on risky behavior among teenagers, focusing on attitudes toward risky behavior as a mediating factor and socioeconomic status (SES) as a moderating condition. A quantitative, cross-sectional research design was employed with a purposive sample of 220 students aged 15–19 years drawn from public and private institutions across Pakistan. Data were collected through validated instruments, including the Resistance to Peer Influence (RPI) scale, the Adolescent Risk-Taking Questionnaire (ARQ), attitude measures from the Theory of Planned Behavior, and the Family Affluence Scale (FAS). Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS and AMOS, incorporating Confirmatory Factor Analysis, correlation tests, and mediation and moderation analysis through PROCESS Macro with bootstrapping. Results revealed that peer influence significantly predicted risky behavior both directly and indirectly through shaping adolescents’ attitudes. Furthermore, SES moderated the attitude–behavior relationship, with teenagers from higher SES backgrounds more likely to engage in risky behaviors when holding favorable attitudes toward them. These findings underscore the importance of peer norms and attitudinal processes in adolescent decision-making, while also highlighting the conditional role of socioeconomic factors. Practically, the study suggests that prevention programs should target attitudinal change and peer norms, particularly within high-SES groups, to effectively reduce adolescent engagement in risky behaviors.
Keywords: Peer Pressure; Risky Behavior; Teenagers, Peer Influence, Attitudinal Change
